Thermo-electric cooler pump methods and systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable refrigeration systems for medicines and testing instruments face challenges in maintaining specified temperature ranges due to inadequate thermo-electric cooler pump designs, which can lead to product degradation and require constant monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A thermo-electric cooler pump system with an integrated liquid pump, motor, impeller, and chiller/heater component that utilizes the Peltier effect for thermal heat transfer, where the motor is external and not wetted by the liquid, and the chiller/heater is sealed to prevent liquid escape, ensuring efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor component is placed inside the case component to directly drive the impeller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the motor will be wetted by the liquid leading to reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The motor component is extracted from the liquid-contact environment and placed in the dry zone outside the case component. The motor drives the impeller through a sealed shaft penetration, preventing liquid contact while maintaining functional connection. This extraction resolves the contradiction by isolating the motor from moisture without adding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed shaft penetration acts as an intermediary between the motor (in dry zone) and the impeller (in wet zone). The seal prevents liquid from contacting the motor while allowing mechanical power transmission. This intermediary component enables the motor to operate reliably outside the liquid environment.
2Reliability
If the chiller/heater component is completely sealed inside the case, then liquid containment is improved, but heat transfer efficiency to the liquid decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The chiller/heater component has different structural characteristics in different zones: the heating/cooling surface is exposed to the liquid for efficient heat transfer, while the motor and electrical components are located in the dry zone and sealed off. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of good heat transfer and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The chiller/heater component is segmented into wetted and non-wetted portions. The heating/cooling section contacts the liquid for thermal exchange, while the motor section remains dry and sealed. This segmentation allows the component to fulfill both heat transfer and containment functions simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the motor is placed outside the case component, then the motor is protected from liquid, but the device complexity increases due to sealed shaft penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the liquid environment and positioned in the dry zone outside the case. A sealed shaft penetration provides the necessary connection while maintaining liquid containment. This extraction protects the motor without requiring complex internal sealing arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains temperature ranges by using the Peltier effect for heat transfer, ensuring that the liquid is chilled or heated as needed, addressing the inefficiencies in existing designs and enhancing the reliability of portable refrigeration.
Implementation Method 1
The chiller/heater component an electron flow to a thermal heat transfer by means of the Peltier effect
Data Source
AI summary
A thermo-electric cooler pump system includes a liquid pump comprising a chiller/heater component and a case component. The case component seals a liquid so that the liquid does not enter the thermo-electric cooler pump system except by an inlet port and escape the thermo-electric cooler pump system except by an exit port. The system includes a motor component situated outside of the case component and not wetted by the liquid. A shaft of the motor component enters the case through a sealed hole. An impeller component is contained within the case component and attached to the shaft such that motion of motor component is transferred to the impeller component causing liquid to enter the inlet port and flow toward the exit port.